NCR Say They Did Not Send That Email

The National Credit Regulator (NCR) has issued a warning about a fraudulent email that is currently being sent to Debt Counsellors.

The email appears to be an official notification from the NCR’s Debt Help System (DHS), but it is not genuine. Instead, it is being sent from a Smartsheet email address and attempts to create the impression that it is an automated NCR communication.

The NCR has confirmed that they did not send or authorise these emails. they also say that the Debt Help System does not generate automated emails of this nature, so anyone receiving one should immediately treat it as suspicious.

Debt Counsellors should avoid replying to the email, clicking on any links, opening attachments or sharing any personal or client information. 

The NCR says it is monitoring attempts to misuse its name and systems and is taking steps to protect both consumers and registrants.

The warning and circular serve as a timely reminder that cyber criminals often imitate trusted organisations to trick recipients into acting without thinking. That can be from someone like the NCR or even Debt Counsellors (when scammers try to trick their clients).

As always, if an email seems urgent, unexpected or asks you to click a link or provide confidential or private information, please take a moment to verify that it is genuine before responding.